Adjustable Footing Assembly For Pool Steps

ABSTRACT

An adjustable footing assembly comprising a footing member including a base element and a vertical element. The vertical element is connected to the base portion and the vertical element defines a bore therein. An elongate coupling member has a lower portion positionally adjustably situated within the bore of the vertical portion of said footing member and an upper portion structured and arranged for connection to an end of a stair support member. Rotation of the elongate coupling member results in movement of the elongate coupling member vertically along a vertical axis of the bore.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a footing assembly for usewith pool steps. More particularly, the present invention relates to anadjustable footing assembly used for installation and stabilization ofsupporting members for pool steps for use with in-ground swimming pools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Installation of pre-fabricated steps or stairs in in-ground pools is atime-consuming and expensive practice. Pool stairs require reinforcementto eliminate bending and flexing. Pool steps are prone to deformingunderneath the weight of a person stepping on the step. Providingsupport for pool steps is necessary for both the comfort and safety ofpotential swimmers. However, installation of support members can beproblematic. During installation, stair supports may not providesuitable support or may shift due to uneven ground levels beneath thesteps.

A common method of installing pre-fabricated pool stairs, as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,378, includes constructing and installingsupplementary support consisting of piers formed from concrete or brickstacks which rest on concrete footings. The piers extend from the groundto the underside of one or more of the steps of the stairs to providesupport for the steps. This system requires construction of a concretefooting that is level and resistant to misalignment.

Another method of installing pre-fabricated stairs includes installingcolumns or poles which abut the underside of pool steps. The columns areattached to the ground by concrete blocks or footings. These concreteblocks and footings are prone to settling improperly and are furtherprone to misalignment. In order to ensure that the pole is securedcorrectly to the bottom of the step and that the pole provides adequatesupport for the step, additional stiffeners may have to be used.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,237 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,098 disclose a stairsupport system wherein support posts are attached to the underside ofpre-fabricated stairs and footings are provided at the bottom of thesupport posts for connection to the ground. Prior to installation of thestairs, the supports posts are deployed along with the footings and thepre-fabricated stairs are lowered into the area where they will beinstalled. The support posts of this system come in a standard size sofurther leveling is needed to ensure that the steps provide adequatesupport.

The above described methods each suffer from certain drawbacks wheninstalling pre-fabricated pool steps using support posts which rest onan uneven or non-level ground surface. For example, construction of aconcrete footing may not adequately compensate for an uneven surface andfurther alteration is typically needed to attain optimal leveling.Systems that require the posts to be manufactured to a specific height,for pre-attachment to the underside of steps prior to installation, alsosuffer from problems during installation. The fixed length of the postsrequires that further work, such as shimming or augmentation of thefootings, be conducted if the pre-fabricated pool stairs are installedover uneven or non-level ground surfaces. In such cases, the posts mayshift or provide insufficient support for the pool steps without furtheraugmentation.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide new andimproved methods and apparatus for use in the installation of poolsteps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improvedfooting assemblies for support posts for prefabricated pool steps.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide new andimproved footing assemblies for pool step supports which are adjustableto accommodate for unevenness of the ground surface on which the stepsupport posts rest.

A further object of the present invention is to provide new and improvedadjustable height footing assemblies for support posts for swimming poolsteps.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide new andimproved methods of installing support members for pool steps, whereininstallation does not require excessive alteration of the length andsize of the support members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects areattained by providing an adjustable footing assembly comprising afooting member including a base element and a vertical element connectedto said base element, the vertical element defining a bore therein, andan elongate coupling member having a lower portion positionallyadjustably situated within the bore of said vertical element of saidfooting member and an upper portion structured and arranged forconnection to an end of a stair support member.

The height of the adjustable footing assembly of the invention may beadjusted by adjusting the position of the elongate coupling memberwithin the bore of the footing member. Such adjustment may beaccomplished by providing cooperating threads on the interior of thebore and exterior of the lower portion of the coupling member, andsuitably rotating the coupling member within the bore of the footingmember. Rotation of the elongate coupling member in a selected directionraises or lowers a support member attached to the upper portion of saidelongate coupling member in order to compensate for uneven groundsurfaces and/or to accomplish precise engagement of the underside of thestep with the top of the support member.

The upper portion of the elongate coupling member may further comprise aplurality of upwardly extending resilient fingers structured andarranged to be received in an open end of a step support member and toengage the inner surface of the support member.

The adjustable footing assembly of the present invention enablespre-fabricated pool steps to be evenly supported without furthermodifications, such as shimming, to compensate for an uneven level ofthe ground on which the pool support members rest.

According to the method of the invention, an end of a support member isattached to an upper portion of an elongate coupling member. A lowerportion of the elongate coupling member is situated within a bore of afooting member. The height of the stair support member coupled to theadjustable footing assembly can be varied by adjusting the position ofthe elongate coupling member in the bore. To secure the adjustablefooting assembly to the ground, the base of the footing member is stakedto the ground and concrete poured around the adjustable footing assemblyand allowed to harden, thereby securing the support member in place.

These and other features and advantages of this invention are describedin or are apparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference tothe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an adjustable footing assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable footing assemblyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adjustable footing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a base portion of the adjustablefooting disengaged from an elongate support member; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustable footing as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference charactersdesignate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,an adjustable footing assembly, generally designated 20, constructed inaccordance with the present invention, is shown. Referring to thefigures, an adjustable footing assembly 20 comprises a footing member 22and an elongate coupling member 24. Footing member 22 is constructed ofa metallic material such as steel or aluminum although other materialsmay be employed. The footing member 22 comprises a base element 26disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, having an upper surface 27and a lower surface (not shown) connected to a vertical element 28,having an upper end 29 and a lower end 31, the vertical element defininga cylindrical bore 30 therein. Lower end 31 of vertical element 28 andupper surface 27 of base element 26 are spaced from each other. As willbe seen, this spacing allows for further downward vertical displacementof a lower portion 34 of an elongate coupling member 24 to a positionbelow lower end 31 of vertical element 28. As seen in FIG. 3, theperimeter of the base element 26 is spaced outwardly from the profile ofthe vertical element 28 to provide stabilization when the adjustablefooting assembly 20 rests on an uneven ground surface. Referring to FIG.4, the vertical element 28 is substantially cylindrical in shape anddefines a cylindrical bore 30 therein. Base element 26 is connected tovertical element 28 by a plurality of obliquely extending webs 32, whichare spaced from each other around the circumference of vertical element28.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, elongate coupling member 24, preferablyformed of a metallic material such as steel or aluminum, although othermaterial may be employed, comprises a lower portion 34 adjustablypositioned within the bore 30 of vertical portion 28 of footing member22 and an upper portion 36 structured and arranged for connection to anend of a stair support member. As best seen in FIG. 3, upper portion 36of coupling member 24 has an x-shaped cross section which is structuredand arranged for insertion into an end of a stair support member. A“support member,” as used herein, can include a post, column, verticalchannel, vertical member or other support. Support members may furtherinclude lengths of ABS or PVC plastic pipe. The support member may beprecut prior to installation in accordance with customary lengthscorresponding to the construction of pre-fabricated steps known in thefield. Alternatively, the support member may be cut at an installationsite and customized to a specific set of pool stairs.

Lower portion 34 of coupling member 24 has external spiral threads 44formed therein while the surface of bore 30 of the vertical element 28has matching threads 45 formed thereon. The lower portion 34 of couplingmember 24 is threadedly engaged within bore 30 so that rotation of thecoupling member 24 within bore 30 will cause the coupling member 24 toeither protrude further from the bore 30 (i.e., be raised) or extendfurther into the bore 30 (i.e., be lowered).

The elongate coupling member 24 further comprises a shelf 38 at thejunction of lower portion 34 and upper portion 36. The shelf 38 has anupper surface 40 and a lower surface 42. Shelf 38 has a x-shapedcross-section which extends beyond the cross-sections of upper portion36 and lower portion 38 defining two pairs of handle portions 68. Duringinstallation, the elongate coupling member 24 is rotated to adjust theheight of the support member by grasping and rotating the handleportions 68.

During installation of pre-fabricated pool stairs, the support membermay need to be either raised or lowered to optimize stability of thesteps where the footing members for the same step are situated on anuneven ground surface. The adjustable footing assembly 20 allows forsuch an adjustment without requiring further measuring and cutting ofthe support member or necessitating the use of shims and stiffeners tocompensate for the uneven ground surface. Rotation of elongate couplingmember 24 in one direction lowers elongate coupling member 24 intofooting member 22, thus reducing the height of adjustable footingassembly 20 and lowering the height of the support member coupled to theadjustable footing assembly 20. At the lowest height of adjustablefooting assembly 20, the lower surface 42 of shelf 38 abuts the topsurface 29 of vertical element 28.

Referring now to FIG. 3, base element 26 of footing member 22 may beround, octagonal, square-shaped, rhomboid-shaped, or any other shape.Preferably, base element 26 of footing member 22 is rhomboid-shaped withtwo opposing pairs of substantially parallel sides 46, 50 and 48, 52.The rhomboid shape provides additional stability on uneven surfaces.Apertures 62 and 64 are formed through the base element 26 near corners54 and 58 of base element 26. Apertures 62 and 64 are structured andarranged to receive reinforcing bars (“rebars”), for staking adjustablefooting assembly 20 into position before concrete is poured. Rebars arefurther used to insure that adjustable footing assembly 20 does not moveeven if the concrete that surrounds adjustable footing assembly 20cracks.

Referring to FIG. 5, upper portion 36 of elongate coupling member 24comprises a pair of upwardly extending fingers 66 spaced from eachother. A planar member 67 is situated between the fingers 66. Thefingers 66 are structured and arranged to be inserted into an open endof a stair support member. Fingers 66 are flexible and resilient and canbe urged towards each other prior to insertion into an open end of astair support member to accommodate a support member of a particulardiameter. When unengaged, the width of upper portion 36 and distancebetween fingers 66 is equal to or slightly greater than the width of theinside diameter of the support member. Upon insertion, fingers 66 areflexed inwardly and consequently spring biased against the inner surfaceof the stair support member.

In a typical installation of the adjustable footing assembly 20 of thepresent invention, a pre-fabricated stair unit is brought to a work siteand is measured and positioned. Adjustable footing assembly 20 ispositioned beneath the bottom surface of a stair and is placed on theground. A support member is connected to adjustable footing assembly andsecured into place. The adjustable footing assembly is adjusted tosituate the top end of support member in the preferred position, whichis typically a position wherein the end of the support member securelyabuts the bottom surface of the step. The support member can be securedto the bottom of the step using a stiffener or a second adjustable footassembly. Additional locking mechanisms can be used to secure thesupport member to the bottom surface of a step or an attachment coupledto the bottom surface of a step. Adjustable footing assembly 20 may besecured to the underside of a pool step and may be attached to either orboth ends of a supporting member. Subsequent to attachment of thesupport member to the bottom surface of the step, adjustable footassembly 20 is staked to the ground using reinforcing bars to secure andhold the footing assembly in place. Concrete is then poured overadjustable foot assembly 20 to secure it into position. The spacesbetween the webs 32 allow the concrete material to enter within thefooting member 22 to provide enhanced stabilization of the footingassembly 20. A plurality of adjustable footing assemblies andcorresponding support members may be installed along the underside of apre-fabricated stair module.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferredmethods and materials are now described.

The invention has been described with reference to an embodiment thatillustrates the principles of the invention and is not meant to limitthe scope of the invention. Modifications and alterations may occur toothers upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the scope of the invention be construedas including all modifications and alterations that may occur to othersupon reading and understanding the preceding detailed descriptioninsofar as they come within the scope of the following claims orequivalents thereof. Various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An adjustable footing assembly comprising: a footing member includinga base element and a vertical element, said vertical element connectedto said base element and said vertical element defining a bore therein;and an elongate coupling member having a lower portion positionallyadjustably situated within the bore of said vertical element of saidfooting member and an upper portion structured and arranged forconnection to an end of a stair support member.
 2. The adjustablefooting assembly of claim 1, wherein said bore is internally threadedand said lower portion of said elongate coupling member is externallythreaded.
 3. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 2, whereinrotation of said elongate coupling member results in movement of saidexternally threaded lower portion vertically along an axis of saidinternally threaded bore.
 4. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 1,wherein said vertical element is substantially cylindrical in shape. 5.The adjustable footing assembly of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of obliquely extending webs spaced from each other connectingsaid base element to said vertical element.
 6. The adjustable footingassembly of claim 1, wherein said base element is round, octagonal,square-shaped, or rhomboid-shaped.
 7. The adjustable footing assembly ofclaim 6, wherein said base element is rhomboid-shaped.
 8. The adjustablefooting assembly of claim 7, wherein said base element has substantiallyrounded corners.
 9. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid base element further comprises apertures structured and arranged toreceive reinforcing rods.
 10. The adjustable footing assembly of claim9, wherein said apertures are located at the opposite ends of said baseelement.
 11. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 1, wherein a lowerend of said vertical element is spaced from an upper surface of the baseelement.
 12. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 1, wherein saidelongate coupling member further comprises a shelf located at thejunction of said lower portion and said upper portion.
 13. Theadjustable footing assembly of claim 12, wherein said shelf comprisesand upper surface and a lower surface.
 14. The adjustable footingassembly of claim 13, wherein at a lowest height of the adjustablefooting assembly, the bottom surface of the shelf segment abuts an upperend of said vertical portion of said footing member.
 15. The adjustablefooting assembly of claim 12, wherein said shelf comprises a pair ofhandle portions.
 16. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 15,wherein rotation of said handle portions results in movement of saidelongate coupling member vertically along an axis of said bore.
 17. Theadjustable footing assembly of claim 1, wherein said upper portion ofsaid elongate coupling member has an x-shaped cross section.
 18. Theadjustable footing assembly of claim 1, wherein said upper portion ofsaid elongate coupling member further comprises a pair of upwardlyextending fingers structured and arranged to be inserted into an openend of a stair support member.
 19. The adjustable footing assembly ofclaim 18, wherein said fingers are structured and arranged to be urgedtowards each other.
 20. The adjustable footing assembly of claim 19,wherein said fingers are structured and arranged to spring biasedagainst an interior surface of the stair support member.
 21. A methodfor supporting and leveling pre-fabricated pool steps comprising:attaching a footing member of an adjustable footing assembly to asubstrate, said footing member comprising a base element connected to avertical element, said vertical element defining a bore therein;connecting an end of a stair support member to an upper portion of anelongate coupling member, said elongate coupling member having a lowerportion structured and arranged to be received by the bore of thevertical portion of the footing member; situating said lower portion ofsaid elongate coupling member within said bore; and adjusting theelongate coupling member to alter the vertical position of said elongatecoupling member to achieve a desired height.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein the substrate is an uneven ground surface.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein adjusting the elongate coupling member comprisesrotating the elongate coupling member.
 24. The method of claim 21, theadjustable footing assembly is secured to the substrate by pouringconcrete around the base of said footing assembly.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the substrate is a bottom surface of a pool stair. 26.The method of claim 21, further comprising securing said base member tothe substrate using reinforcing rods.
 27. The method of claim 21,wherein said desired height is the height necessary for the stairsupport member to firmly abut the bottom of a step surface.